The mystery began with a seemingly local news website called The South Florida Standard. Though outward appearances made it appear to be a real publication, with reporters who had bylines and biographies, the entire operation consisted of content scraped and plagiarized from actual news outlets. Getting to the bottom of the mystery required old fashioned shoe leather journalism and digital tracking, as well as a happy coincidence that occurred because the fake site stole the name of an actual investigative journalist. We talk to the reporter who began the great unravelling and the podcast producer who managed to pull the final threads needed to uncover the actual human behind the network of fake news sites.
Guests:
- Kate Payne, state government reporter, The Florida Trib
- Zach St. Louis, producer for the “Question Everything” podcast from Placement Theory and KCRW
“The Flying Ace” at 100 years
Once called “the greatest airplane thriller ever filmed,” The Flying Ace is also a key piece of Jacksonville history. It’s the only surviving feature film produced by the Arlington-based Norman Studios, the first dedicated to casting African Americans in leading roles and portraying them honestly, not as caricatures. Now, the silent film is the inspiration for a new score created collaboratively by six composers, which will be performed live by the Jacksonville Symphony alongside a screening of the 1926 film, at Jacoby Symphony Hall. We talk to one of the composers about how the project compares with his previous work, which ranges from music for audiences in Carnegie Hall to fans of the TV series Shark Week.
Guest: Levi Taylor, composer, “The Flying Ace”
Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive
The annual donation drive for cold weather gear isn’t just a tradition. It is, to quote a certain beloved children’s television icon, “such a good feeling.” Gently used coats, jackets and blankets are collected in honor of the man who made the sweater and a pair of blue canvas sneakers the ultimate comfort wear. Donations are accepted through Nov. 30 at WJCT Studios (100 Festival Park Ave.), all VyStar Credit Union locations all Suddath Moving & Storage locations and all Tom Bush Family of Dealerships locations. The goal is to collect and distribute more than 15,000 cold-weather essentials to First Coast residents in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau counties.
Guests:
- Karen Feagins, president and CEO, WJCT Public Media
- Kemal Gasper, vice president of community engagement, VyStar Credit Union
- Chad Gaither, household goods operations manager, Suddath Moving and Storage of Jacksonville
- Brian Bush, vice president, Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
Topics and guests subject to change.